Russo-American Tank Destroyer

One of the key problems with using foreign tanks is keeping a steady supply of spare parts and ammunition. This problem is not exclusive to captured tanks. A similar situation often took place with vehicles that were sent willingly. For example, a lack of ammunition delayed the arrival of American tanks on the battlefields of the Eastern Front by several months. These shortages happened more than once. It is not surprising that arming foreign tanks with domestic guns was a frequently suggested solution.

S-1 (SU-76I), the first design of the TsAKB. The bureau had some experience in re-arming foreign chassis.

It just so happened that the best results in rearming foreign tanks were achieved by the design bureaus of factory #92 and factory #592. The first only offered experimental solutions, but the latter built a small batch of SG-122 SPGs. Specialists from both bureaus were later united in one organization: the Central Artillery Design Bureau (TsAKB). Their first project, the S-1, was a part of rearming a foreign tank (SU-76I). It’s not surprising that new rearmament projects followed, including grassroots proposals.

Video: Best Foreign Tank of the Red Army

The Red Army operated a number of foreign tanks, but only one was the clear favourite of Soviet tank units for the majority of the war. See which one it was in my latest video, the answer may surprise you!

Video: Panzerfaust Effectiveness and Protection

The Panzerfaust was a very powerful weapon when used correctly. However, there are many misconceptions about the effectiveness of this weapon and the methods devised to protect against it. In this video I talk about how the American, British Commonwealth, and Soviet tank forces protected themselves against the Panzerfaust and similar weapons. 

Video: How to Kill a Ferdinand

With up to 200 mm of armour, the Ferdinand was a formidable opponent. Nevertheless, trials showed that it had its share of weaknesses. Learn how to destroy the infamous tank destroyer in my latest video:

Video: IS-4 in 1946

The Red Army was eager to get their hands on the Object 701 and it was recommended for production in the spring of 1945. Why did it take another year for the tank to be accepted into service as the IS-4? Would it have been possible or even advisable to get it into production faster? Watch my latest video to find out.

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Video: Big HE Shells vs German Tank Armour

The SU-152 made a name for itself as a tank killer thanks to its big 152 mm gun firing a 40 kg high explosive shell, but how good was this weapon at destroying tanks? Was better ammunition not available? In this video, I go over how 122 mm and 152 mm high explosive shells fared against thick armour compared to purpose made ammunition.

 

Video: IS-7 tank in 1946

The Red Army wanted a superheavy tank since its inception and in 1945 the conditions were finally right to procure one. The IS-7 was the heaviest Soviet tank yet, but could it see service if the war lasted long enough?

 

Controversial Commander's Cupola

Three-man turrets appeared in the USSR back in the 1930s. The T-28 and T-35 tanks already had a dedicated commander. The problem was that his abilities were limited. He only had a periscope at his disposal, which had a limited field of view. The KV-1 tank that came to replace the T-28 and T-35 kept the overall layout of the fighting compartment. As before, the commander sat in the front right and had a periscope to look through. It was clear by 1940 that this was not enough. Nevertheless, it took a while for engineers to arrive at a classic commander's cupola.

The commander's cupola on the KV-1S tank appeared a full two years after the start of the KV tank family.

Video: Three Way Heavy Tank Contest

In 1939, the Red Army had not one, not two, but three whole heavy tank designs. Find out how they competed and who the winner was in my latest video.

Book Review: Tank by Mark Urban

When I'm asked to review books, they are usually written by tank historians for tank historians. They bristle with technical details, tables of organization, unit numbers, millimeters and kilograms, with some pages more footnotes than text and a thick heft bibliography that can be the size of a chapter of its own. This is not one of those books.